بالطبع
bil-tab'
To say of course in Arabic, use بالطبع (bil-tab'), a standard way to show agreement.
بالطبع works as a reply on its own to agree or to confirm a fact.
Meaning: indicates enthusiastic agreement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
It joins the preposition bi, meaning with or by, to the noun for nature or natural state.
Which one should you use?
طبعًا and بالتأكيد also mean of course, with بالتأكيد stressing certainty. أكيد (akīd) is a very common way to say of course or certainly in daily speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bil-tab' is standard and formal, while أكيد is a common informal choice in spoken Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say of course not, add the negation word lā after the phrase, as in بالطبع لا.
How do you pronounce it?
It is said bil-tab'.
Did you know?
- The root of بالطبع is also used to describe the process of printing or stamping, as both refer to leaving a permanent mark or impression.
- In many Arabic dialects, the word أكيد (akīd) is often accompanied by a slight nod or a hand gesture over the heart to emphasize sincerity. This adds a layer of emotional warmth that the English 'of course' often lacks.
- While بالطبع is grammatically perfect, using it in a casual conversation with friends might make you sound like a news anchor or a character from a classic novel. In a coffee shop, most people would opt for the shorter, punchier أكيد.
Examples in context
- ماذا؟ لا، بالطبع لا.Whaat? No, of course not.بالطبع لا means of course not.Tatoeba #3884909 by Amastan, translation #3301162 by Hybrid
- بالطبع، يجب ان اخبرها.Of course, I have to tell her.Here بالطبع opens the sentence before the main statement.Tatoeba #6882858 by adals, translation #3908466 by CH
- بالطبع.Of course.بالطبع can stand alone as a full reply.Tatoeba #617118 by saeb, translation #433492 by CK
- سؤال: هل يحق لي الانضمام إلى الاجتماع؟ – جواب: طبعًا.Question: Can I join the meeting? – Answer: Of course.
- سؤال: هل يمكنك مساعدتي في حل هذه المشكلة؟ – جواب: بالتأكيد.Question: Can you help me solve this problem? – Answer: Of course.
- سؤال: هل يمكنني التحدث باللغة العربية؟ – جواب: بالطبع.Question: Can I speak Arabic? – Answer: Of course.
- سؤال: هل ترغب في الانضمام للنزهة؟ – جواب: طبعاً.Question: Do you want to join the picnic? – Answer: Of course.
- سؤال: هل تستطيع تقديم نصيحة؟ – جواب: أكيد.Question: Can you give me some advice? – Answer: Of course.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar is asking Sara to help him with a project.
- عمر Omarهل يمكنك مساعدتي في هذا المشروع؟Hal yumkinuki musā'adatī fī hādhā al-mashrū'?Can you help me with this project?
- سارة Saraبالطبع، سأفعل ذلك!Bil-tab', sa'af'alu dhālik!Of course, I will do that!
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً لكِ يا سارة.Shukran jazīlan laki yā Sārah.Thank you very much, Sara.
- سارة Saraلا شكر على واجب.Lā shukra 'alā wājib.You are very welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
